Released on August 4, 1992, 'New Miserable Experience' proved a sonic contrast to the grunge and aggressive hard rock inspired music in vogue at the time. It became a strong commercial success, reaching the #1 spot on Billboard's Heatseekers chart. Aforementioned hits "Found Out About You" and "Hey Jealousy" were top 40 smashes on Billboard's Hot 100 chart, still getting consistent radio airplay as the years went on.
Though blessed with songwriting talent, Hopkins struggled both with addiction and with major depression. Sadly, Hopkins committed suicide in December of 1993. The band continued without him and achieved more major success, their power pop inspired, emotional lyrics becoming a precursor to later adult alternative groups of the late 90s and 00s. Still, they experienced more line-up changes, as Rhodes left the band shortly after their 2002 reunion (returning for a brief period in 2005). Currently the band does not have a permanent drummer.
They took their name from a photo of W.C. Fields which bore the caption "W.C. Fields with gin blossoms," referring to the actor's gin-ravaged nose. The band, who were musically weaned on rock artists such as The Byrds and Tom Petty, released three albums and had several hits in the mid-90s before breaking up in 1997. Five years later in 2002, the band reunited, released a DVD, resumed touring, and promised a fourth album.
Titled 'Major Lodge Victory', the Gin Blossoms' first album in ten years was released on August 8, 2006 on the Hybrid Recordings label. They have done much well-received touring since then. For example, the group joined Everclear, Sugar Ray, Lit and Marcy Playground on the 'Summerland Tour 2012', a 31-date nationwide tour that began on June 28, 2012, in Saratoga, California, and ended on August 11, 2012, in Laughlin, Nevada. The band later released 'No Chocolate Cake' on September 28, 2010; and 'Mixed Reality' on June 15, 2018.
Hold Me Down
Gin Blossoms Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When I thought I heard myself say no
Anyway it looks like no one heard me so here I go
'Cause when you're in the company of strangers
Or just the strangers you call friends
You know before you start just how it's going to end
When the doors swing open and all the drinks are passed around
Anytime the pickin's look too easy, hold me down
When it only seems to let me down
Soon I find I'm searching for the exit from the ground
If I think the room is turning faster
Then I think the music is too loud
By then I've lived another broken story to let me down
When those doors swing open and all the drinks are passed around
When half the party moves into the bathroom...hold me down
Or if you're at the tail end of the evening
And Dr. feelgood comes around
Anytime the pickin's look too easy hold me down
Down if I want that part
Down if I've gone too far
Well I guess I must have just been reeling
When I felt myself begin to fall
I realize I'm bounding down the hallways and off the walls
If my bed was standing in the corner
I could just fall into it right now
And know that I'd just be staring at the ceiling going round
When those doors swing open and all the drinks are passed around
Anytime the pickin's look too easy hold me down
In "Hold Me Down," Gin Blossoms describes the often-destructive nature of their love for partying and drinking. The song seems to suggest that despite knowing what will happen when they indulge, they continue to do so regardless. The lyrics speak to the idea that the desire to feel good in the moment overpowers any logical thought about the consequences.
The first verse describes the singer's inner monologue as they are about to partake in their partying ways. They question whether they really want to do this or if they should say no. However, the temptation of the party and the company is too strong, and they continue to indulge, only to be let down once again. The chorus serves as a warning to others and to oneself to hold them down if the pickin's look too easy, indicating that they can't trust themselves to make the right decisions.
The second verse describes the aftermath of a party, where the singer is reeling and trying to find a way out. The feeling of being let down is palpable in the lyrics as they recount another "broken story." Despite describing the destructive behavior, the song is still upbeat and catchy, which only emphasizes the allure of the party in the first place.
Line by Line Meaning
So I guess I must have just been dreaming
The singer is reflecting on their past behavior as if it were a surreal dream.
When I thought I heard myself say no
The singer remembers a time when they wanted to say no to something, but failed to do so.
Anyway it looks like no one heard me so here I go
Despite feeling unheard, the singer chooses to take action.
'Cause when you're in the company of strangers
The artist is discussing the challenges of being around people they don't know well.
Or just the strangers you call friends
The artist acknowledges that even their friends can sometimes feel like strangers.
You know before you start just how it's going to end
The singer is aware of their tendency to make poor decisions.
When the doors swing open and all the drinks are passed around
The singer is describing a social situation in which alcohol is involved.
Anytime the pickin's look too easy, hold me down
The artist is asking for someone to stop them from making a bad decision when the situation seems too tempting.
I can't remember why I like this feeling
The artist is questioning why they enjoy feeling out of control.
When it only seems to let me down
Despite the satisfaction that comes with making risky decisions, the artist acknowledges that it often ends poorly.
Soon I find I'm searching for the exit from the ground
The singer realizes they want to get out of the situation they are in before things get worse.
If I think the room is turning faster
The artist is describing the physical effects of being under the influence of alcohol.
Then I think the music is too loud
The singer is looking for reasons to explain their disorientation.
By then I've lived another broken story to let me down
The singer is reflecting on the pattern of their behavior leading to negative consequences.
When those doors swing open and all the drinks are passed around
The singer is describing another instance of being in a social situation with alcohol.
When half the party moves into the bathroom...hold me down
The artist is asking for someone to stop them from making bad decisions in the midst of a party atmosphere.
Or if you're at the tail end of the evening
The artist is acknowledging the challenges of staying in control as the night wears on.
And Dr. feelgood comes around
The singer is referring to a person who provides drugs to alter the state of mind.
Anytime the pickin's look too easy hold me down
The singer is reiterating the need for someone to intervene when things seem too easy and tempting.
Down if I want that part
The artist is acknowledging that they have a desire for the reckless behaviors they are describing.
Down if I've gone too far
The artist is recognizing the point of no return - the moment when they have gone too far and need to be stopped.
Well I guess I must have just been reeling
The artist is again reflecting on their experiences as if they were staggering under the influence.
When I felt myself begin to fall
The singer is acknowledging the physical sensation of being out of control.
I realize I'm bounding down the hallways and off the walls
The artist is describing their physical behavior when they are not in control of their actions.
If my bed was standing in the corner
The singer is imagining a scenario in which they could end the night safely.
I could just fall into it right now
The singer is tired and ready for the night to end.
And know that I'd just be staring at the ceiling going round
The singer knows that even if they were to go to bed, they would be unable to sleep and would be left alone with their thoughts and regrets.
Anytime the pickin's look too easy hold me down
The artist is reinforcing the need for someone to intervene when the situation is too tempting.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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